Sermon Tone Analysis

Pray

Please turn with me to Micah 6.

Much of our time together today will look like a court case, and that’s because that’s exactly how Micah set’s things up.

Throughout our long passage today, we will see:

Micah lays out the lawsuit (Micah 6:1-8)

Micah describes the sentence (Micah 6:9-7:7)

Micah details the Nation’s Repentance (Micah 7:8-13)

Micah lays out God’s pardon and restoration (Micah 7:14-20)

We will read specific scriptures and summarize others along the way.

In verses 1-2 of Micah 6, we’re given an inside look at a courtroom drama.

In this case, the Judge will step into the role of prosecutor.

The defense is assumed to be launching a countersuit.

This case has everything, hostile witnesses, shocking evidence, shouting between the parties, a conviction, the handing down of a sentence, and finally a pardon from the judge who prosecuted the attorney.

1. Micah details the covenant lawsuit (Micah 6:1-8)

Micah brings the involved parties together and begins the proceedings.

He calls witnesses, the prosecution and defense.

He invites the Lord to bring His charges against His people.

Let’s read the first part of that scene:

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a. God’s creation stands as witness to God’s work throughout history.

(6:1-2)

I believe that in verses 1-2, Micah is speaking to both the Lord and His people.

Mountains and hills, here, unlike in the prophetic passages of last week, are referring to all of creation.

Creation is to hear the legal arguments as the controversy is disputed.

The mountains, hills, and foundations of the earth were there when God created man, when man fell, when God promised to rescue man, and when God made a covenant with Israel that He would be their God and they would be His people.

Creation has watched throughout history as the depravity of man has been on display.

Creation awaits the ultimate fulfillment of every prophecy, but especially the promise to make all things new.

Remember, in his letter to the Romans, Paul tells us that Creation was subjected to futility, and not willingly.

If Creation could be personified, it would look around at each of us today and say, “none of this is my fault!

This is all on you.

You rebelled, and you’re taking me down with you.”

If creation was able to speak in verses 1-2, as it’s being told to hear the arguments, I bet Creation would respond with, “Great!

It’s about time.

I’m sick of being subjected to a curse I didn’t bring on myself, while these people continually do what’s right in their own eyes.”

The people of God were entering into a courtroom with a hostile witness, but God didn’t need this witness to speak, he would address the defense directly.

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b.

God examines the defense and declares His arguments against the countersuit.(6:3-5)

When you read verse 3, you can’t help but notice the emotion in God’s words.

Micah 6:3 “3 “O my people, what have I done to you?

How have I wearied you?

Answer me!”

There are no answers offered to these questions, as we’ll see in a minute.

God addresses the defense, calling them His people - showing that He hasn’t turned His back on the covenant.

Then He submits into evidence various ways that He has helped, redeemed, and cleansed His people, despite their best efforts against Him.

It’s clear that God has always kept His covenant with His people in mind, even though the people have gone astray time and time again.

The people would have done well to do as Job when God spoke to him out of the whirlwind, that is cover their mouths and abstain from speaking.

Look with me to verses 6-7.

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c.

The Defense Responds (6:6-7)

I’ve shared this before, but it’s appropriate here again: My grandfather used to say, “It’s better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

In this courtroom drama the people foolishly respond, and they have the gall to show indignation toward the Lord.

They begin by pleading the fifth amendment, refusing to answer the Lords questions, because they know that should they answer they will certainly incriminate themselves.

Instead, they cry against the Lord saying, essentially, “what can we do to satisfy you?

Are burnt offerings enough?

Are sacrificed calves enough?

Would thousands of rams or ten thousand offerings of oil make you happy?

What if we gave you the firstborn of our families, would that be enough to get you off our backs?”

Their foolishness is on display as they ask questions, but notice what they’re saying.

Essentially they’re admitting to trying to earn favor with God with their works, and while rightly announcing it hasn’t worked, they missed out on why.

What they don’t realize that they have already been given God’s favor, and they can’t work enough to try to earn what’s already been given.

How often do we find ourselves in this same spot?

Perhaps you’re here this morning and you’ve been trying to purchase something God said He would give you freely.

They were missing the point that though God had demanded certain sacrifices from them, it was to teach them to have authentic faith.

A relationship with God begins with faith, and grows through obedience.

God wasn’t as interested in the sacrifices as He was their hearts.

He’s still interested in hearts.

Have you given Him yours?

Are you trusting Him and living in obedience to Him today?

The people were so close, yet couldn’t figure out what God actually required of them.

Thankfully God had a message for His people about what He would accept, and what He’s always wanted from them.

Here the prophet interjects.

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d.

The Prophet interjects (6:8)

After God interrogates the People, and they respond, seemingly in anger, the prophet has an answer for them.

They’re asking, “What is it that you want from us?” and the prophet says, He simply wants your love.

God’s expectation in worship is concerned with the heart, not the ritual.

It’s about obedience, not sacrifice.

Look with me to Micah 6:8

God didn’t, and still doesn’t, want spiritual robots.

He wants hearts given to Him by faith.

The Israelites entered into a covenant with God by faith, they were to walk by faith, they were to accept the Law by faith, and offer sacrifices by faith when that law was broken.

Somewhere along the way, their walk had become more about works than faith and they wandered.

Where are you today?

God still demands faithfulness.

God still that desires you to walk with Him by faith.

When you call upon Him for salvation, and are radically changed by His holiness to become a new creation, the only proper response is love for your savior and God.

That love ought to display itself in a life that strives to be like the God who saved it.

Not as a means of earning anything, but rather as testimony to what has already been received.

Loving God and loving others is what God has always commanded from those who are His.

We display that love by Seeking Justice, Loving mercy, and walking humbly with Him.

Lord willing, we will dive back into Micah 6:8 next week as we complete this series.

For now, we need to see that Israel struggled to accept what God had required of them, and it has led them into dark times.

In our own lives, when we stop loving God first and others second, we too begin a slow fade as we wander away from the God who redeemed us.

God won’t let us wander for long.

He is a jealous God and He will bring back what’s His, but there will be consequences.

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The next section of this book deals with the final indictment (considered by Micah) as God will rest His case.